Honeythief
Chapter Fifteen
)O(
Raven kept silent as the Jeep bounced down the non-road that was nothing more than a deer path. Branches whipped at the sides, but that didn't keep her from hanging out the window. Being in such close quarters with Robin's scent drove her wild, and she'd been in the vehicle for almost two hours now. She laid her head on the door and breathed in the smell of the woods at night. It was the sweet scent of moonlit dew and pine. Everything seemed so new to her, movement, scent, even sounds felt fresh and different.
They had left right after their friends headed home, and Raven's stomach twisted as she thought about the week to come. She looked over at Robin, who was concentrating on the underbrush ahead of him. She was hungry, just as he predicted and the suspense of what was going to happen made the feeling worse. She knew that he would take care of her, that there shouldn't be anything to fear in their joining… but still. The idea made her nervous. What would happen to them after Robin claimed her? Would they go back to being heroes? Would Robin keep her boxed up on a shelf where she was safe from harm? Or would their joining be nothing? What if, by some cruel twist of fate, Robin and her were never meant to be with one another?
"Stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine, Raven." Raven tried to respond, but she found there wasn't anything she could say that would make her feel better. Were they going to be fine? Or was it just an empty promise? Raven wasn't sure what this would change between them, but she wasn't sure she wanted to find out.
Robin took a sharp left and broke through the tree line when the deer path turned into a gravel drive. Silver moonlight spilled across a crystal calm lake, as mountains rose in the background. Next to the lake sat a sprawling log structure that looked more like a woodsy luxury home than a cabin. Robin parked the Jeep next to the east wall and jumped out. Raven sat there, staring at the lake, shimmering like glass. After a moment of awe, she crawled out and walked up to the water. There was the soothing sound of small waves lapping at the rocky shore and Raven felt her body relax. There was something serene and calming about this place, as if it were a little piece of heaven on earth.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"I thought you'd like it." Robin's warm breath tickled her ear and send shivers down her spine. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into the shelter of his body. Raven stiffened for a moment, not used to the sensation of being hugged. It felt unusual, but not unwelcome. There was something warm and comforting about just being held, especially by some one strong and protecting like Robin. It felt like no one would ever harm her again, and Raven slowly sunk into the feeling. Robin's hands slipped under her t-shirt and traced the scar on her stomach. "I'm sorry, Raven… I didn't make it in time to save you." He spoke the words into her hair, shielding his emotions from her.
Raven craned her neck around and stared at him. "Are you still caught up over that?"
Robin let his arms fall to the side, and he gave an exasperated sigh. "Of course. It didn't have to be like this. You didn't have to be… a vampire." He spit the word out like poison.
"I would be dead." Raven took a step away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. "That would have been better?"
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." Robin rolled his eyes and walked to the Jeep to grab their bags. Raven shook her head and followed him. Why couldn't he just accept that this was unchangeable? It wasn't his fault, and Raven didn't blame him in the least. But that didn't stop him from blaming himself.
"I would have been dead, Robin." She caught up to him and touched him. The muscles flinched in his arm, and he looked down at her, frowning. Raven's heart skipped a beat as his strong eyes bore into her. What was making him so upset? She managed to find her voice. "Dead. I don't have any doubt in my mind that if the rolls had been switched, and you lay dying on my lap, I would have done everything in my power to save you. Don't blame yourself for being faced with a difficult decision." Raven grabbed her bag and started for the house.
"I'm not going to let this go, Raven." Robin chased after her, and the scent of his anger touched her nose. Her heart skipped a few beats at the fragrance, but she wasn't going to let him get the upper hand. Not tonight. "You're going to drive me insane with your nonchalance. This isn't a 'mistake', it's a debacle. You shouldn't have to bear this curse."
He had no idea what a "curse" was. Living with her birthmark was a curse, this new body was just a change. Raven whipped around and Robin skidded to a halt in front of her. She glared at him for a minute before talking. "I'm trying not to lose my temper with you right now, but you're making it hard. You dragged me out here, in the middle of nowhere might I add, to 'claim' me, and now you're starting fights with me. What do you want?"
Robin threw his bag down and took a step forward, pressing his body close to her. Electricity arced between them, and Raven could smell the sweet scent of anger and desire swirl around him. She stepped forward so their bodies just barely brushed and glared up at him, but he just stared down at her. The air was tangible and thick with emotion. One more spark and the conflagration would be unstoppable. "I swear, Raven, I'm going to hush that pretty mouth of yours by the end of the night." The promise rippled down her spine in waves of desire and Raven smirked.
"Try."
That was one word she should not have uttered. Robin, without any other thought bent down and threw Raven over his shoulder. There was a moment of silent surprise where she didn't know what to say or do, she was shocked. Did he just… really? Robin picked up their bags and shoved open the front door. If Raven hadn't been so angry she might have enjoyed the beautiful stone fireplace, and the warm glow the rustic-wood chandelier cast on the over-stuffed sofa. In the bedroom, she might have appreciated the intricately carved four-poster bed with thick, wool covers in varying shades of burgundy and hunter green. Robin dropped their bags, threw her down on the bed, and glared at her.
He frowned. "You really want to push my buttons today, don't you?"
Raven pushed herself into a sitting position and returned his stare. "Yes."
"You are going to get it, Raven."
"Oh, hush." Raven swung her legs over the edge of the bed and pressed a hand to her head. This game was starting to get tiresome. "I'm tired, cranky, and I'm getting a headache from this mess." She stood up, grabbed her bag and retreated to the lush bathroom. "I'm going to get ready for bed. And you're sleeping on the sofa tonight. Or this morning… whatever." Raven slammed the bathroom door definitively, pretending not to hear the groan or thrown pillow from Robin. He deserved it anyway, throwing a hissy fit like that was sure to tick her off and he knew it. While she understood why he was upset, that wasn't going to change their situation.
Raven unzipped her bag and stared inside, her stomach falling to the floor. They had left in such a hurry that night, that Raven didn't have time to pact her own bag. Instead of wasting time, Alfred packed it before she left, and she didn't think anything of it. Just t-shirts and jeans, right? Wrong. Oh, how wrong she was. Nothing but silk and lace stared back at her. Raven rifled through the bag, her heart sinking with each movement. There wasn't even a pair of sweatpants! In fact, the closest thing she got to something reasonable was a pair of purple, silky boxer shorts with black lace edging. She stared at them, her face falling. Exactly what did Alfred think they were going to be doing all week?
Muttering curses under her breath, Raven pulled on the shorts and matching top. She left the bag on the floor and opened the door a crack to peak out into the bedroom. It was empty and the bed was missing a pillow. Good. Maybe Robin had gone into the living room and would stay there all night. Raven stepped into the bedroom and walked around, examining her surroundings. There was a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that showed the glass-smooth lake with the mountains rising in the distance. Raven sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the scene for a few minutes, beginning to understand why Robin wanted to bring her out here. It was simply beautiful.
It did nothing to calm her hot-temper though.
"Are you done being angry?"
Raven turned around to see Robin leaning against the door frame, watching her. She frowned. "No." She stood up and started to peel the covers off the bed, ignoring his shocked stare that followed her around the room. "So you're more than welcome to sleep out on the sofa." There was a long pause, and Raven caught the sharp scent of hot blood and desire. Her heart skipped a beat and she looked over at Robin, feeling her hunger spike and claw at her. She swallowed hard and pushed hair out of her face, pretending everything was normal. "What?"
"What are you wearing?"
Raven frowned and put her hands on her hips. "I didn't pack my bag, Alfred did. So, don't get any ideas."
"Too late." Robin walked into the room, and made his way to her side of the bed. A smirk played on his lips and he pressed her back into the bed. "Alfred packed your bag? Remind me to thank him later."
"You're such a cad." Raven tried to shove at his chest, but Robin snagged her small hand in his. There was an explosion of heat between them before Robin's foot caught her ankle and pulled her feet out from under her. Raven tumbled back onto the bed, staring up at his massive figure, watching her move against the sheets. Her heart skipped another beat, and she tried to get the upper hand. Right now she was desperate for anything to distract her from the fire he was starting. "I will seriously beat you if this doesn't stop right now."
Robin licked his lips, looking like a predator about to enjoy his prey. "Worth it." He crawled over her body, blocking out the warm light that filled the room. Raven moved restlessly, trying to get away from the inevitable fire he was going to start in her blood. Robin straddled her hips and captured her wrists in his hands. Raven stared up at him, trying to ignore the scent that worked its way into her senses. She felt his rough hands stroke the inside of her arms before he leaned down at kissed her.
All bets were off. Raven leaned up into his kiss, a small whimper escaping. Robin buried his fingers into her hair, moving her head to the side slightly, opening her mouth. He tongue slipped into her mouth and fought for dominance against hew own. He nipped at her lips before his mouth trailed to her ear, and then down the column of her neck. Robin nuzzled her jugular before he ran his tongue along a vein, tasting her skin.
Raven couldn't suppress the moan that escaped, and she pressed her hands against his chest, feeling his pulse pick up underneath her touch. Her world skidded to a halt, and she stared up at her. What was she doing? She needed to stop this immediately or it was going to get out of hand. "Robin… stop."
His hands, which had found their way under her shirt, stilled and he leaned back, watching her from beneath his lashes. The desire and frustration spiked the air with a spicy, musky scent. Raven found her body reacting to it against her own will. She didn't want this, but is smelled so good. Robin frowned as he glanced at the clock. "I'll give you one minute to give a good argument as to why I shouldn't take you right now, consequences be damned."
"Because…" Raven chewed on her lower lip. Why shouldn't he? There was no doubt in her mind that she loved him unconditionally, that being a vampire had nothing to do wither feelings for him. He saved her life. He was her best friend. He nearly boiled her blood every time he touched her. But what if she wasn't the one he really wanted? What if he was just attracted to her, not in love with her? What if this one night destroyed everything they had between them as teammates, friends, even as a couple? "Because…"
"Thirty seconds." Robin's hands moved to cup her face. He feathered his thumbs over her lips and it took all of Raven's energy not to sigh with content.
"Because what if I'm not your real mate? What if you bind yourself to me and find out this was all a big mistake?" Raven had closed her eyes, hoping to hide from his reaction. She could still smell his shock, his frustration, and even a little sadness. Her stomach turned and she opened an eye to look at him. He was shaking his head and frowning. Robin rolled off her and stretched out on the bed, pulling her body into his. There was a moment of silence, and Raven could feel him trying to think about what he was going to say to her.
"Now?" Robin whispered into her hair. He rested his chin on top of her head, forcing Raven to cuddle with him. She had never "cuddled" with anyone in her life. The sensation was… well, Raven enjoyed it. What was he turning her into? Now she enjoyed hugging and cuddling? The next thing you knew she was going to enjoy long walks on the beach and stuffed animals. Robin kissed her forehead. "That's what you're worried about? That what we have between us is nothing more than a mistake?"
"Yes." Raven closed her eyes and buried her face into his neck.
Robin sighed. "Raven… what we have isn't a mistake. It isn't something I'll ever regret. I… Raven, I love you." The words made Raven's heart sputter to a stop. It took awhile before the words sunk into her heart, and she managed to find the truth in them. Was that what this was between them? Love? For years Raven had thought it had just been a nuisance of ungrounded emotions, but having him say that magical little word changed everything. "I have loved you for years now… since that moment you came into my life. Binding myself to you is something I want to do, not out of some stupid hormonal attraction." He tipped her chin up so her eyes met his. A blush crossed his cheeks and he glanced away for a second. "Truth? This is something I've dreamed of… way before I became this."
Raven didn't know what to say. She blinked a few times before finding her voice. "You dreamed about having sex with me?"
Robin's face darkened a few more shades. "I could make even you blush with the things I've dreamed about."
Raven tried to respond, but she found there was nothing to say. Exactly what could she say about that? "But…"
"Raven? I will only tell you this once, not because I'm angry but because I'm getting frustrated. So, please, just: Shut. Up." Robin's mouth descended on hers, and Raven found herself not needing to say anything. He poured every ounce of his feelings and emotions into that one kiss, that Raven found it was hard to tell where his love left off and hers began. Robin pressed her into the covers, his hands caging her body into his embrace. But Raven didn't want to escape this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his body close, she felt him smile against her lips. He pulled away and smirked at her. "Changing your mind?"
"If I can't talk, neither can you." Raven nipped at his ear, earning a heady moan from Robin. His hands slid under her top and yanked it above her head with force. Raven blushed as the cool air touched her bare skin and she tried to move her body so that she wasn't so exposed, but Robin didn't let her. He snatched her wrists and pressed them against the bed, and then he just sat there. Staring. Raven colored a few shades darker and she felt her anger spike. Was there something wrong with her that he just sat there in disappointed silence? Was it her scar? "What? Is this not what you're expecting?"
"No. I… Raven… you're beautiful." Robin kissed her clavicle, his teeth scraping against her collar bone. Her body jumped and goose-bumps covered her skin. He knew how to touch her just right to forget that she was supposed to be angry at him. There was a sour laugh and he pulled away to look into her eyes. In their onyx depths, Raven could see a shimmer of self-doubt. "I'm worried I'm going to mess this up." He pressed his hand against her scar. "Like I messed this up."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his face. He wasn't getting out of this one. He started this fire, he was going to put it out if it was the last thing he did. "You're as bad as me. Will you just shut up and make love to me before I change my mind?"
Robin just smiled and kissed her again. His hands wandered over her skin, brushing and dipping into all the secret hollows of her body. He cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over her nipples. Raven bit back a moan, and her face flushed as her stared at her, watching her face as he played. His fingers slid along her sides, tracing her hour-glass figure before dipping into her belly-button and beneath her shorts. Robin didn't even hesitate as he peeled her clothing off. This time Robin stepped back off the bed and watched her. Raven flushed again and closed her eyes, hoping to block out the sensation. Did he have to keep staring at her like that?
"I want to remember this, Raven." Robin's voice was dark and husky, as if he was in excruciating pain. She cracked open an eye, and stared up at him. Some where in the silence he'd gotten undressed. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look at him. He was beautiful. A chiseled masterpiece from Michelangelo. The moonlight caught every hollow and shape and Raven felt, for a moment, that she was looking at something more than just a man. "This is more than just a night, Raven. This is me and you." Robin took a step closer and crawled over her again. "And I love you."
Robin's fingers picked up where they left off, and he traced the shape of her thighs. He pressed a finger against her center. Raven whimpered and her head fell back against the sheets as he moved inside her. He knew what he was doing, that was for sure. Raven tried to remember what her arguments were against this, but with Robin doing what he was, it was hard. His mouth found her breast, licked, nipped, and pulled at her nipple until the blossom of heat in her stomach had turned into white lightning, consuming her whole body. Raven moaned as her back arched into his mouth.
Robin kissed his way up to her neck, tasting her skin. He nuzzled underneath her chin, wallowing in her scent like he had when Raven met him as a vampire. He scraped his teeth along her pulse and Raven moaned again. Her skin hurt. As if every nerve-ending was on fire, and all she wanted was to be free of this conflagration. She was so hot, and Robin wasn't helping as he teased and played, bringing her to the edge, but not pushing her over. She moved against him as Robin crawled over her body, testing his weight on her.
He grabbed her wrists, and stretched her body out against the covers. Raven felt strangely like a sacrifice, set out for a hungry vampire. Robin parted her legs and settled between them. He lifted his head, a look of remorse in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Raven… this is going to hurt." Robin pressed forward, stretching her to the point of burning. She tried to struggle against the pressure, but Robin held her pinned against the sheets. He whispered another apology against her neck, then surged forward past her innocence. Raven let out a cry as the pain ripped through her. He wasn't lying, it bordered near agony. Robin stilled for a moment, whispering soothing words against her skin. Raven was going to punch him for this later.
Robin began to move; long sure strokes against her body, making sure the pain ebbed away. Raven felt her breath catch in her chest. Somewhere in this exchange it became less about their pleasure, and more bout their joining. She felt her heart untie its self from her body, searching for her mate. The one who would take care of her, protect her, and love her for the rest of her life. She looked up at Robin, her chest tightening. They were made for each other. As silly and juvenile as it sounded to her, it was the truth. Robin had been made for her.
He nuzzled her neck as he picked up his pace. Raven's hands feathered against his back, trying to hold on to something solid as they reached past them selves and into each other. He licked her throat, tracing the pulse. Once. Twice. Robin bit down, and Raven's body exploded into a million shards of light. She screamed as he continued to move against her, giving her such intense pleasure, that it bordered on pain. After Raven found her way back to earth, he picked his head up from her neck, closing the wound with a stroke of his tongue.
"Bite me." His voice was hard and raspy, as if he was in the same state of chaos that Raven was. "Please, Raven… please." Raven didn't need to be asked twice. She was hungry, and the thought of feeding from her mate was more than delicious. Raven nuzzled his neck, enjoying the scent of his pleasure. She tasted his skin once before biting down. Warm liquid spilled into her mouth and down her throat. It was delicious, thick and heady, like warm cider. Robin tasted better than he smelled, and that was saying something. He convulsed against her body and moaned her name into her ear. Raven picked her head up from his neck, tasting the last few drops of blood on his neck.
They lay there, entwined in each others arms for a few moments of silence before Raven felt him smile against her neck, and a chuckle escaped. He licked her throat one more time, sending aftershocks through her body again. "That was better than I could have imagined."
"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult." Raven frowned and tried to move, but he kept her pinned.
"I have a very vivid imagination when it comes to you." Robin nipped at her collarbone as she flushed red. "So, it's a compliment." He picked up his head and kissed her softly on the lips. He licked a few drops of blood off her lower lip, before picking himself up. Raven laid there, watching his body with appreciation as he peeled back the covers of the bed. There was a part of her that could really get used to this. "C'mon, Rae… it's time for some sleep."
"Finally." Raven stood up and began searching for her discarded boxers, but Robin grabbed her arm.
"No clothing tonight." His boyish grin made her heart sputter to a stop. She tried to frown, but the promise was a little too enticing. "If you get cold, just let me know and I'll warm you up."
"You're terrible." Raven swatted at his arm, but he just pulled her back into the bed.
"Yeah, but you're stuck with me."
"I guess I am."
Robin caught her earlobe between his teeth and nibbled, earning another whimper from Raven. "At least you're accepting it."
"Go to sleep, vampire boy."
Raven felt him pout against her neck. "Pft. Good night, Rae."
)O(
So, I debated on whether or not I was going to put this lemon in here. I just feel like my lemons always end up super awkward. But then again… maybe I'm just awkward. Whatever. I don't think this is the end of Honeythief. I know there'll be at least one more chapter, but I feel like there are a lot of loose ends left to tie up. And I'm debating on whether or not to bring Jinx back in. We'll see. Anyway, let me know if you enjoyed it. I love you hear from everyone.
I feel like I have to plug this story I found the other day, Sarah Cabbage Patch wrote this fantastic story with vampires-ish… anyway, if you like Dick Grayson (and who doesn't) and Raven and historical romance, please check out The Darkness that Beckons.
With love always: Xaph!
OH! I forgot to share my funny review with you! I got this hilarious anonymous review from some dork named "Rated T for Terrible" (if that is your real name!) in which he went off about how terrible my story was and it was stupid that Robin was a vampire, that he wanted Raven, and Roy wanted Raven. And the thing I found HILARIOUS about it, was that not only did the doofus read my summary and still proceeded to read this "awful" story, but he knew that Roy had an attraction for Raven. Which meant that he had to read through 50 thousand words before "deciding" this story was awful. OMG. Why sit through all that if it's so terrible? I busted a gut reading it. Anyway, that's my story, thanks for listening! Don't forget to check out The Darkness that Beckons.
With love always: Xaph!
